Author Topic: Ever seen a "Li'l Diablo"??? (Now with additional news as of 1-10-08) (Read 3078 times)

wwwarbird · « **on:** January 06, 2008, 08:05:21 PM »

I've always loved the look of the "El Diablo", but just haven't ever gotten around to building one. During a larger model building project last winter, I had the idea to "whip-up" a smaller version for a Norvel .061 I had lying around. Norvel makes a larger clunk tank that works perfectly, and makes for a longer flight. It simply extends through the firewall from what you see in these photos, and almost doubles the capacity.
I simply drew myself up a set of plans using the original as a reference, started cutting wood, and this is what I ended up with. I kept the paint scheme simple because I wanted kind of a "period" look.
The model spans 28" and will easily fly the pattern on 42' x .012" lines...

wwwarbird · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2008, 08:07:43 PM »

Engine installation with Norvel .061, Master Airscrew 6x3...

wwwarbird · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2008, 08:08:46 PM »

Side view...

wwwarbird · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2008, 08:10:03 PM »

Bottom...

wwwarbird · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2008, 08:11:27 PM »

A size comparo with a couple .35's...

Steve Scott · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2008, 10:02:24 PM »

42' lines, eh? What were they when I flew this down at Sig a couple of years ago? 24'? Man, that thing was really zipping around on that Norvel .061!

wwwarbird · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2008, 11:51:33 PM »

Yep Steve, they were 42's! A "little devil" wasn't it!

Here's a top view...

wwwarbird · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2008, 12:05:22 AM »

More of the engine install...

wwwarbird · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2008, 12:10:09 AM »

3/4 rear...

Jim Thomerson · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2008, 11:03:32 AM »

Was it your Li'l El Diablo I saw at the VSC last year? Didn't see it fly. It would be a neat airplane for someone to kit. I'd buy one.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2008, 12:57:52 PM »

Yep, that was the one Jim. I finished it right before VSC 2007, and couldn't resist bringing it along. The maiden flights were that Saturday evening after the official stuff was done for the day. I thought it would be neat and kind of appropriate to fly it for the first time at VSC. It flew great from the very first flight with no adjustments. You can't help but chuckle when you fly it, it's just a fun little airplane that flies really well.
The "Li'l Diablo" would be very easy for someone to kit, and it's a really quick build. I've got enough drawings and patterns saved to draw up plans fairly easily.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2008, 08:40:55 AM »

Very slick...it does indeed cry out to be kitted! So when you bringing it out?

Weight and wing area?

--Ray

Shawn Kuntz · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2008, 09:20:55 AM »

If you kit it then I am buying one! Awesome!

Doug Moon · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2008, 07:41:10 PM »

That Hughes H-1 in the background looks cool too!

frank carlisle · « **Reply #14 on:** January 08, 2008, 09:27:33 PM »

Nice work as usual Wayne.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2008, 07:09:41 AM »

NEWS!!!!!

Blue Sky Models will be kitting the "Li'l Diablo" Wayne and I will be coordinating on this very soon.

Please let me know if you are interested.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #16 on:** January 10, 2008, 05:31:18 PM »

I will be working up some drawings for Tom Niehbur at Blue Sky Models very soon.

Stay tuned!

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #17 on:** January 10, 2008, 06:35:12 PM »

Very cool...projected price? (and I'm still curious about weight and wing area of the prototype...)

--Ray

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #18 on:** January 11, 2008, 06:56:09 AM »

As said above, we are just starting on this project. Can't make any projections at this time.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #19 on:** January 13, 2008, 09:48:25 AM »

As stated above, Wayne is working up a drawing for me. I will then make a CAD drawing.
The span is 28". I do not know the chord, so I cannot give the wing area at this time. We will give updates as we go.
The kits will be laser cut.

I would like to have intersted people let me know. If you have already made a reply, your are on the list.

Thanks

wwwarbird · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2008, 01:42:33 PM »

Bump.

Spec sheet added, see post: "Li'l Diablo" the spec sheet...

wwwarbird · « **Reply #21 on:** June 05, 2008, 07:43:31 PM »

Bumping this up for a guy in the Classified section who is looking for a 1/2A kit...

Garf · « **Reply #22 on:** June 05, 2008, 10:02:07 PM »

Will this fly with a Fox .07?

wwwarbird · « **Reply #23 on:** June 06, 2008, 07:34:25 AM »

Garf,

I think so. Could you or someone possibly show us a picture of that engine? I don't recall how the Fox .07 is configured.
I've considered building one for an AP .09. The Norvel .061 on my prototype is plenty of power as it is though, it will take off from a trimmed grass field easily, kind of like shooting a rubber band.

Just One-eye · « **Reply #24 on:** June 06, 2008, 08:16:25 AM »

Quote from: Garf on June 05, 2008, 10:02:07 PM

Will this fly with a Fox .07?

Phil, if you haven't ever used a small Fox, other than the FAI 049, you may not know how poor the .07 actually is/was (and the similar .09). It's on the order of an OK Cub .039, maybe a bit better -- quite weak for a plane the size of this one!

George · « **Reply #25 on:** June 08, 2008, 05:42:26 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on June 06, 2008, 07:34:25 AM

Garf,

I think so. Could you or someone possibly show us a picture of that engine? I don't recall how the Fox .07 is configured.
I've considered building one for an AP .09. The Norvel .061 on my prototype is plenty of power as it is though, it will take off from a trimmed grass field easily, kind of like shooting a rubber band.

Fox .07 is center-back. Others are Fox FAI .049's.

George